The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has appealed to the waring factions in the Rivers State government to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.
Chief Iwuanyanwu who was responding to questions from journalists during his official visit to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Portharcourt, Rivers State said that the misunderstanding between former Governor Nyesom Wike group, the House of Assembly Members on one hand and Governor Siminalaye Fubara should be resolved amicably in the interest of peace, development and the people of Rivers State, the entire Eastern region and Nigeria in general.
He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is viewing the crisis situation between the Governor and the members of the House of Assembly with great concern and is not comfortable with it. Chief Iwuanyanwu said that both former Governor Wike and his Successor are their children/sons and wondered why they could not come to a round table conference and resolve whatever is the issue so that Rivers State will progress and move forward for transformational development. He was of the view that only the FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara will be able to resolve the crisis situation and the earlier they do it the better.
Chief Iwuanyanwu emphasised that Portharcourt is more or less a Commercial heartbeat of Eastern Nigeria and any problem that affects it or Rivers State will have ripple effect in the entire region. He recalled that soon after the Civil war when there was a similar problem, the Leaders of Eastern Nigeria met at the Presidential Hotel Portharcourt and formed a Council of Eastern Nigeria Business Leaders.
At the meeting, he Chief Iwuanyanwu was elected President of the Association which had prominent leaders of Eastern Nigeria from Rivers State such as Alagbo Graham Douglas, Chief Lulu Briggs, Chief Ombo Isokariri, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Agumah who was recently given one of the HEROIC AWARD in Enugu last year by Ohanaeze Ndigbo as one of its Founding Fathers, Chief Melford Okilo, Eze Wolluchem and Professor Leton as members among others. Other members of the Association included prominent businessmen from Cross River State, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States. Chief Iwuanyanwu said that the my Association collectively played major roles in fighting for the neglect of Niger Delta as well as contributed immensely to the increase of the oil derivation fund from three percent to 13 percent. Chief Iwuanyanwu said that since the principal actors in the crisis are “our sons”, everything possible must be done to bring a lasting solution to the problems as crisis situation pays no one any good.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that it is the view of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that everything must be done to ensure smooth and good governance in Rivers State under the present administration. He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo intend to invite the two principal actors, the FCT Minister Wike and Governor Fubara to a meeting with a view of getting the matter resolved without any party losing face.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide insisted that Rivers State should be peaceful so that there will be continuity and rapid development.
